Perkins from Hamilton Perkins Collection celebrates having won first place in the All-Star Pitch Competition.
LOS ANGELES – The NBA Foundation hosted its fifth annual All-Star Pitch Competition Finals on Feb. 12 at the KIA Forum as the NBA tipped off All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles.
Supported by partners such as American Express, Amplitude, KKR, Connect Ventures, Comcast and Teamworks, the NBA Foundation is continuing its mission to drive opportunity for youth, entrepreneurs and students through access to funding, mentorship and career pathways.
“This is a very easy and fulfilling partnership with the NBA Foundation,” Dalila Wilson Scott, Executive Vice President and Chief Impact & Inclusion Officer of Comcast Operations, said. “This investment is part of Project Up, which is our $1 billion commitment to unlock the future of unlimited possibilities.”
“We have a longstanding commitment to backing small businesses and the Pitch Competition is always a meaningful way to kick off All-Star weekend. Partnering with the NBA Foundation on All-Star Pitch allows us to back innovators driving real impact for small businesses and communities – like this year’s Community Changemaker, Mayowa Arogundade,” said Madge Thomas, American Express Head of Corporate Sustainability.
This year’s All-Star Pitch Competition focused the spotlight on entrepreneurs based in Los Angeles who are impacting social and economic mobility among their communities. These seven finalists were selected from the Semi-Finals, hosted in Los Angeles on Dec. 2, 2025.
Entrepreneurs took part in an accelerator program hosted by Melissa Bradley of New Majority Ventures before the Finals.
“It is our commitment to local entrepreneurs in every single market we go into for All-Star Weekend,” Ruth Jurgensen, NBA Foundation Executive Director, said.
Lauren Sills, Head of Operations and Strategic Programs, said the NBA Foundation wants to invest in local creators and bold business owners who are powering our teams and communities every single day.
The NBA Foundation received nearly 300 applications this year from local business owners before narrowing down the field to the seven finalists on Dec. 2, 2025.
The initial total awards were $200,000. Attendees and the entrepreneurs were delighted as Chairman of the LA Clippers, Steve Ballmer continued to support the finalists by announcing during his remarks that he would double the awards.
“LA entrepreneurs are some of the best in the world,” Ballmer said ahead of the event.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver noted the All-Star Pitch Competition Finals are an opportunity to bring attention to the work the NBA Foundation does while providing a spotlight to a group of young entrepreneurs.
“They truly are all winners,” Silver said.
The seven finalists include Mayowa Arogundade, Manju Dawkins, Anwar Douglas, Yosh Miller, Hamilton Perkins, Kristina Wilson and Candace Walker.
The winners of the finals included Perkins from Hamilton Perkins Collection (first place – $100k), Douglas of Imperium Care (second place – $75k) and Miller of Hadley Investment Co. (third place – $75k).
The American Express Community Award went to Arogundade of Equal IQ ($75k).
Thanks to Ballmer and the Clippers’ donation, Generation Connect, Thimble and LEAGUEPROOF each received $25,000 in cash prizes as well.
Going into the competition, Douglas said articulating your story and doing research are all keys to securing a good pitch.
“Carefully shoot your shot,” Douglas said. “Focus on the impact you’re providing to the community.”
Impact of the NBA
When Douglas saw that the NBA was sponsoring the All-Star Pitch Competition, he was immediately drawn in.
“Once I saw the NBA (was involved), I was like ‘for sure. I’m going to shoot my shot,” Douglas said.
The exposure with the NBA has been impeccable for Douglas. People have been attracted to Douglas’ business just because of the association with the NBA and the NBA Foundation, he said.
“(This opportunity) provides a chance to expand our business and partner with different people to help expand our vision,” Douglas said.
Throughout the experience, Douglas noted that the NBA Foundation has been intentional through mentorship, connections and more.
“Everything they’ve done has been A+,” Douglas said.
The All-Star Pitch Competition brought out the stars, as former NBA player and two-time All-Star Joakim Noah was present at the event to show his support.
“It’s beautiful when I see young people are passionate about what they’re doing,” Noah said. “Everybody has their strength.”
What entrepreneurs took from the experience
Going into the event, Perkins said he wanted to learn as much as he could, whether that’s listening to other founders and mentors or getting advice from Ballmer himself.
“It’s an amazing opportunity,” Perkins said. “Take the shot. Show up and that’s how it gets done.”
When it comes to the lessons from this past year, Perkins said sticking to their story was the main takeaway he learned so far.
“Stay with your story,” Perkins said. “Your story is the most powerful tool.”
Perkins also noted that because of the NBA Foundation’s help, his company can use their resources and align them with their mission.
“Do something with what you have because you never know what it’s going to turn into,” Perkins said.
The connections made from the Pitch Competition will lead long past the event’s conclusion, as Perkins said he’ll continue to be a sponge to learn and get better.
“Hopefully I’ll be around for a very long time,” Perkins said.
The Pitch Competition also gives entrepreneurs like Douglas validation, and he’s ready to get back to executing his company’s vision.
The cash reward prizes can allow companies to expand by hiring more employees, building connections and expanding to other communities. Douglas said this allows his company to accelerate their impact on a greater scale.
“It’s not the finish line,” Douglas said.
As the NBA Foundation prepares for next year’s competition in Phoenix, Arizona, Douglas shared some valuable advice for the next generation of entrepreneurs: learn how to fail fast.
“A lot of entrepreneurs overthink, then actually try,” Douglas said. “It’s actually better to fail fast. You’ll get closer to your results faster. Don’t overthink it.”
You can learn more about the NBA Foundation and the All-Star Pitch competition here.
